Chapter Four

The clatter of boots coming down the steps woke Corinne, and she sat back in her cell, watching as a young pirate - fresh-faced, and without even a hint of stubble - approached the cells. He was holding two pieces of bread and a small jug of water.

"Brought you some food," he said haltingly, handing her the bread. She reached between the bars and grabbed it, stuffing half of it into her mouth. She hadn't eaten in a day and a half, and her stomach rumbled all the time now. It ceased its persistent growling and took in the food she fed it. The clergy was awake now, and he reached for his food, as well. He chewed it slowly.

"So where'd you come from, Miss?" the lad asked. Corinne grinned. "I'm a pirate." She replied. His expression transformed from one of surprise.

"A pirate? Then why are you holed up in the cell here?"

"Nobody asked if I was a pirate. They just decided to grab me and make a run for it."

He shrugged and handed Corinne the water jug. "Though I don't suppose it would make any difference to Cap'n Pintel -"

He broke off as she spit her water out...all over his pants. She wiped her mouth on her sleeve. Pintel! She knew that name...he was one of Barbossa's pirates, had a companion with only one eye. Jack had described his former crew in detail to her on an idle day. Pintel, apparently, had been one of the less intelligent ones. But somehow, he must have managed to escape from prison, where, last anyone had heard, they were awaiting the gallows.

She grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. Went down the wrong pipe."

He peered down at his now-wet breeches suspiciously. "I'm goin' now." The lad left, and Corinne was left with the clergy again. She waited until she was sure the young pirate was gone, and then began to pry at the corners and nooks of her cell. It had been solidly made...there was no way out.

"No lie, she said she was a pirate!" he cried, staggering away from the brute who'd just slugged him.

"And she scared you so much you wet yourself?" he sneered, shoving the lad.

"I swear, as soon as I mentioned the Captain, she spit her water all over me! Blasted wench," he muttered under his breath.

"Why would she care about me?" came a voice behind him. He turned to see the Captain standing there. "I mean, I'm just a little ol' pirate...right, men?"

Several of them laughed. They were interrupted, however, by the voice of another pirate. It was the one who had retrieved the young woman. "How would she know about you, Cap'n? I mean, she said she'd been shipwrecked for a while. We've only been sailing for a month or so."

The Captain thought for a moment, scratching his stubbled chin. "She was lyin'. Bring her to me."